Coercion claims

Coercion claims as pact is broken

Ballina
Emer Gallagher

AN AGREEMENT signed by Fianna Fáil councillors Padraig Moore, Frances McAndrew, Willie Nolan, Johnnie O’Malley and Fine Gael’s Mark Winters that outlined a rotation system for the position of Méara was the source of much consternation in the Ballina Town Council chamber last week.
Had the agreement been honoured, it would have seen Cllr McAndrew elected into her second term as Town Mayor, having served as mayor in the 2004/2005 term.
“Personally, I’m very disappointed about the broken pacts and broken promises. In my year as mayor in 2004 I suffered one of life’s greatest losses with the sudden death of my husband Eamon, but I struggled on with the support of my family, friends, some councillors and not forgetting council officials,” said Cllr McAndrew, who said she was looking forward to the term of office.
“Here tonight it is a different story. I feel sorry for Cllr Winters, who was forced into the situation that he is unable to honour the pact he signed due to a threat from Fine Gael headquarters that he would be expelled from the party.”
The newly-elected Leas-Mhéara, Cllr Johnnie O’Malley, said he was sad about the turn of events though he offered his congratulations to Cllr Mulherin. Cllr O’Malley said Cllr Winters was coerced to vote a certain way. “He had a deal signed that he wouldn’t honour,” said Cllr O’Malley, adding that he had heard all the rumours about the pressure put on by the Fine Gael executive.
Cllr Mark Winters strongly refuted any claims of coercion. “I was not coerced by anyone in head office,” said Cllr Winters in a press statement. “The people wanted a Fine Gael mayor and that is politics.”
Cllr Winters said there was an agreement that couldn’t be honoured on either side and it was unfortunate the way things had turned out.
“Cllr O’Malley pointed to an agreement, where the role of Deputy Mayor was to be agreed prior to this year’s election, I asked Fianna Fáil to support Cllr Mulherin for the position and they refused, that refusal constituted a break in the agreement and as a party colleague of Cllr Mulherin, I informed her that she would have my support as Mayor. I refute I was coerced by headquarters and it was a simple fact that Fianna Fáil wouldn’t play ball with me, support of my party colleague was paramount and Fine Gael supporters knew of my position.”